AMH chief loses mother

Comment & Analysis
BY OUR STAFF ALPHA Media Holdings chief executive officer Raphael Khumalo’s mother, Sibekiwe Khumalo, died yesterday morning. Gogo Khumalo (86) died of a suspected cardiac arrest at her son’s home in Richmond, Bulawayo.

Family spokesperson Personal Sithole said their mother had minor complaints but her son who spoke to her on Friday said she sounded well. “This is a very difficult time,” she said, describing the death as sudden. “My brother spoke to her but she sounded fine, although she had minor complaints.”

She said Raphael Khumalo was on his way to South Africa to attend his daughter’s graduation ceremony, but had to return on hearing the sad news. Funeral arrangements were yet to begin yesterday, although family members in Harare were preparing to make their way to Bulawayo.

Gogo Khumalo was born in Filabusi in 1926. “She was widowed in 1965 and she took a decision never to marry again,” Sithole said. Gogo Khumalo survived by seven  children, 44 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

Mourners are expected to gather at Number 36 Gwayi Avenue, Richmond, Bulawayo.